Method and apparatus for processing information

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for processing information. The method for processing information comprises: retrieving, by a first base station, user context information of a User Equipment (UE) from a second base station by initiating a procedure to the second base station for retrieving the user context information, wherein the user context information doesn&#39;t include user history information; updating, by the first base station, bearer path information and resuming the user context information by initiating a path switch request message to a device in a core network; and performing, by the first base station, one or more of the following operations after the UE resumes to a connected state: re-starting to collect user history information, and re-retrieving user history information from the UE through an air interface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent document is a continuation of and claims priority toInternational Patent Application No. PCT/CN2017/075017, filed on Feb.27, 2017, which claims the benefit of priority of Chinese PatentApplication No. 201610190883.6, filed on Mar. 30, 2016. The entirecontents of the before-mentioned patent applications are incorporated byreference as part of the disclosure of this document.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to, but is not limited to, wirelesscommunication technologies.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

With development of communication technologies, in theInternet-of-Things (IoT) era, ten billions of future things all need toaccess a network. However, the Machine-to-Machine communication does notalways have the same type of bandwidth requirement as communicationbetween User Equipments (UEs) after a large amount of devices gainaccess to the network, only a small amount of data needs to betransmitted, or data transmission frequency is much lower. Unlikecommunication between UEs, wherein a mobile terminal may be frequentlycharged, a lot of IoT devices have very low requirements on powerconsumption to support communication due to the special scenarios underwhich they are deployed and the huge amount of deployed devices. Forexample, devices such as water meters, fire extinguishers, sprinklingirrigation switchers in millions of acres of farmable land, weathermonitoring stations in harsh environments, etc., only need datatransmission at a very low frequency and very low capacity after theygain access to the network. And because charging via external energyrequires much time and effort, the 4th Generation mobile communication(simplified as 4G) and the 5th Generation mobile communication(simplified as 5G) cannot satisfy their requirements, rather a networkwith a low bandwidth, low power consumption and a large-area coveragebecomes an optimal option. In this sense, it is the development ofthings in the IoT to facilitate the rise of a cell network with lowbandwidth and low power consumption. In the research of Machine TypeCommunication (simplified as MTC), regarding terminal devices with lowcost and low throughput, a research topic about NarrowBand-Internet ofThings (simplified as NB-IoT) has been proposed, i.e., to providewireless communication services with low throughput to low-cost NB-IoTUser Equipment (simplified as UE) at the band of 200 kHz. As respect toNarrowBand-Internet of Things based on Cell networks (simplified asNB-CIoT) users, a dedicated core network may be configured. The operatormay manage these terminal devices with special usage in this dedicatedcore network, and distinguish them from normal users in order to reducethe impact on the normal users as much as possible. In addition, byconsidering low cost and small data transmission properties of UEs,NB-IoT introduces a different uplink narrowband access capability and anoptimized data transmission scheme. The optimized data transmissionscheme includes optimized schemes based on transmission in a user planeand in a control plane. Further, for smart phone users, optimizedschemes to support the transmission in a user plane and in a controlplane may be extended.

In related arts about the optimized transmission scheme in a user plane,similar to the procedure in Long Term Evolution (simplified as LTE),data is transmitted through a Data Radio Bearer (simplified as DRB),while signaling is transmitted through a Signaling Radio Bearer(simplified as SRB) 1/SRB2. Related standards have already specifiedthat for NB-IoT users, only one DRB is configured, while for smart phoneusers which support a user-plane scheme, multiple bearers may besupported. At the same time, a suspend procedure and a resume procedureare introduced at the network side. The base station and a device in acore network, such as a Mobility Management Entity (simplified as MME),may store user context information when being suspended, and rapidlyactivate the user context information when being resumed. The suspendprocedure and the resume procedure of S1 interface are both imitated bythe base station. When a UE needs to transmit data or “signaling+data”in an idle state, the resume mechanism may be directly used, and it doesnot need to perform procedures, such as encrypting in an air interfaceand establishing a bearer in the Access Stratum (simplified as AS). Theuser context information includes the flag information of the user, theflag information related to the S1-interface for the user, theinformation related to the user security, the information on the bearerfor transporting the user traffic, the service quality information ofthe user, and the information on the user history. The above-describeduser history information includes history information collected by thebase station side when the UE is in a connection state and historyinformation reported by the user side when the UE resides in aconnection state and in an idle state recently. The above-describedhistory information reported by the user side includes history cellinformation when the UE resides in a connection state and/or in an idlestate. The history cell information includes but is not limited to cellinformation of a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (simplified asUTRAN), a GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (simplified as GERAN), and a LTEsystem, and it may even include residence information of a Code DivisionMultiple Access (simplified as CDMA) system and a Wireless Local AreaNetwork (simplified as WLAN). Such information is ranked according tothe chronological order. For example, the newest cell is recorded at themost front of the list. The cell information includes one or moreinformation of the following, such as a cell global identifier, a celltype, and residence duration. When a UE moves to a new base station in asuspend state and the new base station initiates a resume procedure, thenew base station may retrieve user context information from an old basestation which stores the user context information via an X2 interface ora S1 interface.

As for the user history information collected by the base station sidewhen a UE is in a connection state, the history information istransferred from the old base station to the new base station throughswitching when the UE is in one connection state. According to meansprovided by related arts, the history information may be used formobility optimization or paging optimization. And when in a resumeprocedure, because the UE is in a suspended state, the historyinformation may not be updated. Hence, when the duration of the UE in asuspended state is over long, the information retrieved by the new basestation from the old base station may be outdated and inappropriate, sothat it may cause negative impact on the following mobility optimizationand paging optimization. The history information reported by the UE mayrecord information of history cells when the UE resides in a connectionstate and/or in an idle state. The history information is reported bythe UE to the base station via the air interface, and used for mobilityoptimization for a heterogeneous network. When considering in the resumeprocedure, the UE may initiate Tracking Area Update (simplified as TAU)to other base stations and not resume a bearer. Thus, the cellinformation experienced by the UE in an idle state may need to beupdated. If there is only TAU, the user context information retrievingprocedure may not happen. If so, UE history information reported by theUE and recorded in the user context information retrieved by the finalnew base station for resuming the user context information from the oldbase station may be inappropriate.

In conclusion, in the related arts, retrieving and processing of usercontext information in a resume procedure may be not reasonable andappropriate, and may cause negative impact on the following mobilityoptimization and paging optimization, so that transmission optimizationin the user plane may not be realized. Hence, under the background oftransmission optimization in a user plane, how to realize processing ofuser context information in a resume procedure becomes a problem whichneeds to solve in the related arts.

SUMMARY

The following is an overview about the subject matter described indetail herein. The overview is not to limit the protection scope of theclaims.

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for processinginformation, which can optimize the processing of user historyinformation in a resume procedure, so that requirements on optimizationon user-plane transmission can be satisfied.

A method for processing information comprises:

retrieving, by a first base station, user context information of a UserEquipment (UE) from a second base station by initiating a procedure tothe second base station for retrieving the user context information,wherein the user context information doesn't include user historyinformation;

updating, by the first base station, bearer path information andresuming the user context information by initiating a path switchrequest message to a device in a core network; and

performing, by the first base station, one or more of the followingoperations after the UE resumes to a connected state: re-starting tocollect user history information, and re-retrieving user historyinformation from the UE through an air interface.

Optionally, the method further comprises:

when the second base station initiates a suspend procedure for a UE, thesecond base station reports the user history information to the devicein the core network through a request message for suspending the usercontext information, and a path switch response message, which isreceived by the first base station from the device in the core networkin a path switch request message, includes user history information,using, by the first base station, the received user history informationfor subsequent optimization processing after the UE resumes to aconnected state; wherein the received user history informationcorresponds to a timer; the timer is configured when the device in thecore network receives the user history information; before the timertimes out, the device in the core network is allowed to carry the userhistory information when transmitting a response message to the secondbase station for resuming the user context information or whentransmitting a path switch response message to the first base station.

Optionally, the method further comprises:

when the second base station initiates a suspend procedure for a UE, thesecond base station reports user history information to the device inthe core network through a request message for suspending the usercontext information, and a path switch response message, which isreceived by the first base station from the device in the core networkin a path switch request message, includes user history information anda timestamp, determining, by the first base station, according to thetimestamp whether the received user history information is used forsubsequent optimization processing after the UE resumes to a connectedstate; wherein the timestamp corresponds to the user historyinformation, and the timestamp is configured when the device in the corenetwork receives the user history information.

Optionally, the user history information includes one or more of thefollowing: history information of the UE in a connection state, historyinformation recorded by the UE, history information of the UE when beingsuspended, wherein the history information includes one or more of thefollowing: information of history cells where the UE resides, theinformation of history cells including one of the following: a cellglobal identifier, a cell type; duration in one or more states of thefollowing in each history cell: a suspend state, a connection state, andan idle state; duration when the UE resides in each communicationmechanism system.

Optionally, the device in the core network includes a MobilityManagement Entity (MME), or a Serving Gateway Node which supportsNarrowBand-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) users (C-SGN).

A method for processing information comprises:

initiating, by a base station, a procedure for a User Equipment (UE) forsuspending user context information, and reporting user historyinformation to a device in a core network through a request message tothe device in the core network for suspending user context information;

updating, by the base station, bearer path information and resume theuser context information through a request message to the device in thecore network for resuming the user context information;

receiving, by the base station, a response message from the device inthe core network for resuming the user context information; and

when the response message for resuming the user context informationdoesn't include the user history information, performing, by the basestation, one or more of the following operations after the UE resumes toa connected state: re-starting to collect user history information, andre-retrieving user history information from the UE through an airinterface.

Optionally, the method further comprises:

when the response message for resuming the user context informationincludes the user history information, using, by the base station, thereceived user history information for subsequent optimization processingafter the UE resumes to a connected state; wherein the user historyinformation corresponds to a timer; the timer is configured when thedevice in the core network receives the user history information; beforethe timer times out, the device in the core network is allowed to carrythe user history information when transmitting a response message to thebase station for resuming the user context information.

Optionally, the method further comprises:

when the response message for resuming the user context informationincludes the user history information and the timestamp, determining, bythe base station, according to the timestamp whether the received userhistory information is used for subsequent optimization processing afterthe UE resumes to a connected state; wherein the timestamp correspondsto the user history information, and the timestamp is configured whenthe device in the core network receives the user history information.

Optionally, the user history information includes one or more of thefollowing: history information of the UE in a connection state, historyinformation recorded by the UE, history information of the UE when beingsuspended, wherein the history information includes one or more of thefollowing: information of history cells where the UE resides, theinformation of history cells including one of the following: a cellglobal identifier, a cell type; duration in one or more states of thefollowing in each history cell: a suspend state, a connection state, andan idle state; duration when the UE resides in each communicationmechanism system.

Optionally, the device in the core network includes a MobilityManagement Entity (MME), or a Serving Gateway Node which supportsNarrowBand-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) users (C-SGN).

A method for processing information comprises:

retrieving, by a first base station, user context information of a UserEquipment (UE) from a second base station by initiating a procedure tothe second base station for retrieving the user context information,wherein the user context information includes user history informationand a timestamp; the timestamp is configured by the second base stationfor the locally stored user context information or user historyinformation after a suspend procedure is completed;

updating, by the first base station, bearer path information andresuming the user context information by initiating a path switchrequest message to a device in a core network; and

determining, by the first base station, according to the timestampwhether the user history information is used for subsequent optimizationprocessing after the UE resumes to a connected state.

Optionally, the user history information includes one or more of thefollowing: history information of the UE in a connection state, historyinformation recorded by the UE, history information of the UE when beingsuspended, wherein the history information includes one or more of thefollowing: information of history cells where the UE resides, theinformation of history cells including one of the following: a cellglobal identifier, a cell type; duration in one or more states of thefollowing in each history cell: a suspend state, a connection state, andan idle state; duration when the UE resides in each communicationmechanism system.

Optionally, the device in the core network includes a MobilityManagement Entity (MME), or a Serving Gateway Node which supportsNarrowBand-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) users (C-SGN).

A method for processing information comprises:

receiving, by a device in a core network, a request message includinguser history information from a first base station for suspending usercontext information, and configuring a timer for the user historyinformation;

receiving, by the device in the core network, a path switch requestmessage from a second base station, wherein the first base station andthe second base station are a same base station or different basestations; and

transmitting, by the device in the core network, a path switch responsemessage to the second base station;

wherein if the timer is not timeout, the path switch response messageincludes the user history information; if the timer times out, the pathswitch response message doesn't include the user history information.

A method for processing information comprises:

receiving, by a device in a core network, a request message includinguser history information from a first base station for suspending usercontext information, and configuring a timestamp for the user historyinformation;

receiving, by the device in the core network, a path switch requestmessage from a second base station, wherein the first base station andthe second base station are a same base station or different basestations; and

transmitting, by the device in the core network, a path switch responsemessage to the second base station; wherein the path switch responsemessage includes the user history information and the timestamp.

A method for processing information comprises:

receiving, by a device in a core network, a request message includinguser history information from a first base station for suspending usercontext information, and configuring a timer for the user historyinformation;

receiving, by the device in the core network, a request message from thebase station for resuming the user context information; and

transmitting, by the device in the core network, a response message tothe base station for resuming the user context information;

wherein if the timer is not timeout, the response message for resumingthe user context information includes the user history information; ifthe timer times out, the response message for resuming the user contextinformation doesn't include the user history information.

A method for processing information comprises:

receiving, by a device in a core network, a request message includinguser history information from a first base station for suspending usercontext information, and configuring a timestamp for the user historyinformation;

receiving, by the device in the core network, a request message from thebase station for resuming the user context information; and

transmitting, by the device in the core network, a response message tothe base station for resuming the user context information; wherein theresponse message for resuming the user context information includes theuser history information and the timestamp.

A method for processing information comprises:

receiving, by a second base station, a request message from a first basestation for retrieving user context information; and

after the second base station locally locates the user contextinformation of a User Equipment (UE) according to the request messagefor retrieving the user context information, transmitting, by the secondbase station, the user context information that is located locally to atarget base station through a response message for retrieving the usercontext information, wherein the user context information doesn'tinclude user history information.

Optionally, before receiving the request message from a first basestation for retrieving the user context information, the method furthercomprises:

initiating, by the second base station, a procedure for the UE forsuspending the user context information, and reporting the user historyinformation to a device in a core network through a request message tothe device in the core network for suspending the user contextinformation.

A method for processing information comprises:

initiating, by a second base station, a procedure for a User Equipment(UE) for suspending user context information, and configuring atimestamp for locally stored user context information or user historyinformation;

receiving, by the second base station, a request message from a firstbase station for retrieving the user context information; and

after the second base station locally locates the user contextinformation of the UE according to the request message for retrievingthe user context information, transmitting, by the second base station,the user context information that is located locally to a target basestation through a response message for retrieving the user contextinformation, wherein the user context information includes the userhistory information and the timestamp.

An apparatus for processing information, set in a first base station,comprises:

a first retrieving unit, configured to retrieve user context informationof a User Equipment (UE) from a second base station by initiating aprocedure to the second base station for retrieving the user contextinformation, wherein the user context information doesn't include userhistory information;

a path updating unit, configured to update bearer path information andresume the user context information by initiating a path switch requestmessage to a device in a core network; and

a second retrieving unit, configured to perform one or more of thefollowing operations after the UE resumes to a connected state:re-starting to collect user history information, and re-retrieving userhistory information from the UE through an air interface.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises:

a first processing unit, configured to when the second base stationinitiates a suspend procedure for a UE, the second base station reportsthe user history information to the device in the core network through arequest message for suspending the user context information, and a pathswitch response message, which is received by the first base stationfrom the device in the core network in a path switch request message,includes user history information, use the received user historyinformation for subsequent optimization processing after the UE resumesto a connected state; wherein the received user history informationcorresponds to a timer; the timer is configured when the device in thecore network receives the user history information; before the timertimes out, the device in the core network is allowed to carry the userhistory information when transmitting a response message to the secondbase station for resuming the user context information or whentransmitting a path switch response message to the first base station.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises:

a second processing unit, configured to when the second base stationinitiates a suspend procedure for a UE, the second base station reportsuser history information to the device in the core network through arequest message for suspending the user context information, and a pathswitch response message, which is received by the first base stationfrom the device in the core network in a path switch request message,includes user history information and a timestamp, determine accordingto the timestamp whether the received user history information is usedfor subsequent optimization processing after the UE resumes to aconnected state; wherein the timestamp corresponds to the user historyinformation, and the timestamp is configured when the device in the corenetwork receives the user history information.

An apparatus for processing information, set in a base station,comprises:

a transmitting unit, configured to initiate a procedure for a UserEquipment (UE) for suspending user context information, and report userhistory information to a device in a core network through a requestmessage to the device in the core network for suspending user contextinformation;

a path updating unit, configured to update bearer path information andresume the user context information through a request message to thedevice in the core network for resuming the user context information;

a receiving unit, configured to receive a response message for resumingthe user context information from the device in the core network; and

a retrieving unit, configured to when the response message for resumingthe user context information doesn't include the user historyinformation, perform one or more of the following operations after theUE resumes to a connected state: re-starting to collect user historyinformation, and re-retrieving user history, information from the UEthrough an air interface.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises:

a first processing unit, configured to when the response message forresuming the user context information includes the user historyinformation, use the received user history information for subsequentoptimization processing after the UE resumes to a connected state;wherein the user history information corresponds to a timer; the timeris configured when the device in the core network receives the userhistory information; before the timer times out, the device in the corenetwork is allowed to carry the user history information whentransmitting a response message to the base station for resuming theuser context information.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises:

a second processing unit, configured to when the response message forresuming the user context information includes the user historyinformation and the timestamp, determine according to the timestampwhether the received user history information is used for subsequentoptimization processing after the UE resumes to a connected state;wherein the timestamp corresponds to the user history information, andthe timestamp is configured when the device in the core network receivesthe user history information.

An apparatus for processing information, set in a first base station,comprises:

a retrieving unit, configured to retrieve user context information of aUser Equipment (UE) from a second base station by initiating a procedureto the second base station for retrieving the user context information,wherein the user context information includes user history informationand a timestamp; the timestamp is configured by the second base stationfor the locally stored user context information or user historyinformation after a suspend procedure is completed;

a path updating unit, configured to update bearer path information andresume the user context information by initiating a path switch requestmessage to a device in a core network; and

a processing unit, configured to determine according to the timestampwhether the user history information is used for subsequent optimizationprocessing after the UE resumes to a connected state.

An apparatus for processing information, set in a device in a corenetwork, comprises:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a request message including userhistory information from a first base station for suspending usercontext information, and configure a timer for the user historyinformation;

the receiving unit, further configured to receive a path switch requestmessage from a second base station, wherein the first base station andthe second base station are a same base station or different basestations; and

a transmitting unit, configured to transmit a path switch responsemessage to the second base station;

wherein if the timer is not timeout, the path switch response messageincludes the user history information; if the timer times out, the pathswitch response message doesn't include the user history information.

An apparatus for processing information, set in a device in a corenetwork, comprises:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a request message including userhistory information from a first base station for suspending usercontext information, and configure a timestamp for the user historyinformation;

the receiving unit, further configured to receive a path switch requestmessage from a second base station, wherein the first base station andthe second base station are a same base station or different basestations; and

a transmitting unit, configured to transmit a path switch responsemessage to the second base station; wherein the path switch responsemessage includes the user history information and the timestamp.

An apparatus for processing information, set in a device in a corenetwork, comprises:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a request message including userhistory information from a first base station for suspending usercontext information, and configure a timer for the user historyinformation;

the receiving unit, further configured to receive a request message fromthe base station for resuming the user context information; and

a transmitting unit, configured to transmit a response message to thebase station for resuming the user context information;

wherein if the timer is not timeout, the response message for resumingthe user context information includes the user history information; ifthe timer times out, the response message for resuming the user contextinformation doesn't include the user history information.

An apparatus for processing information, set in a device in a corenetwork, comprises:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a request message including userhistory information from a first base station for suspending usercontext information, and configure a timestamp for the user historyinformation;

the receiving unit, further configured to receive a request message fromthe base station for resuming the user context information; and

a transmitting unit, configured to transmit a response message to thebase station for resuming the user context information; wherein theresponse message for resuming the user context information includes theuser history information and the timestamp.

An apparatus for processing information, set in a second base station,comprises:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a request message from a firstbase station for retrieving user context information; and

a transmitting unit, configured to after the second base station locallylocates the user context information of a User Equipment (UE) accordingto the request message for retrieving the user context information,transmit the user context information that is located locally to atarget base station through a response message for retrieving the usercontext information, wherein the user context information doesn'tinclude user history information.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises:

a reporting unit, configured to initiate a procedure for the UE forsuspending the user context information, and report the user historyinformation to a device in a core network through a request message tothe device in the core network for suspending the user contextinformation.

An apparatus for processing information, set in a second base station,comprises:

a processing unit, configured to initiate a procedure for a UserEquipment (UE) for suspending user context information, and configure atimestamp for locally stored user context information or user historyinformation;

a receiving unit, configured to receive request message from a firstbase station for retrieving the user context information; and

a transmitting unit, configured to after the second base station locallylocates the user context information of the UE according to the requestmessage for retrieving the user context information, transmit the usercontext information that is located locally to a target base stationthrough a response message for retrieving the user context information,wherein the user context information includes the user historyinformation and the timestamp.

A computer storage medium, wherein the computer storage medium storescomputer-executable program instructions, the computer-executableprogram instructions are used for executing any one of above-describedmethods for processing information.

According to the method and apparatus provided by embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the way of processing user history information in aresume procedure is optimized. The accuracy of the user historyinformation used for the base station to perform the subsequentoptimization processing is enhanced, so that the accuracy ofoptimization processing is enhanced.

After reading and understanding the accompanying drawings and detaileddescription, other aspects may be understood.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for processing informationaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating another method for processinginformation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating another method for processinginformation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating another method for processinginformation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another method for processinginformation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another method for processinginformation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating another method for processinginformation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating another method for processinginformation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating another method for processinginformation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a signaling process according toembodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a signaling process according toembodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a signaling process according toembodiment 3 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a signaling process according toembodiment 4 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an apparatusfor processing information according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an apparatusfor processing information according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an apparatusfor processing information according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an apparatusfor processing information according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an apparatusfor processing information according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an apparatusfor processing information according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an apparatusfor processing information according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an apparatusfor processing information according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an apparatusfor processing information according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure are further described in detailhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should benoted that, in case of no conflict, embodiments of the presentdisclosure and suitable features in embodiments may be combined witheach other.

Steps shown in flow charts of the accompanying drawings may be executedby a computer system according to a group of computer-executableinstructions. In addition, although logical order is shown in the flowcharts, in some cases, a different order from herein may be used toexecute the shown or described steps.

It should be noted that, terminologies like “first” and “second” in thespecification, claims, and the above-described accompanying drawings ofthe present disclosure are used for differentiate similar objects, butnot used for described specified order or precedence.

A method for processing information is provided according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, which is performed by a new basestation (i.e., a first base station) in a resume procedure acrossmultiple base stations. FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method forprocessing information according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, a first base station refers to a newbase station, and a second base station refers to an old base station.The method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includesthe following steps, i.e., step 101 to step 103:

Step 101, by initiating a procedure to a second base station forretrieving user context information, a first base station retrieves theuser context information of a UE from the second base station. In someembodiments, the user context information doesn't include user historyinformation.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first base stationinitiates a procedure for retrieving user context information, it may bea long time passed from the time when the second base station suspendsthe UE, so that the user history information may become inappropriatesince it is already outdated. Hence, the second base station decides notto carry the user history information which is already outdated andinappropriate when transmitting the user context information.

Step 102, by initiating a path switch request message to a device in acore network, the first base station updates bearer path information andresumes the user context information.

Step 103, the first base station performs one or more of the followingoperations after the UE resumes to a connected state: re-starting tocollect user history information, and re-retrieving user historyinformation from the UE through an air interface.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, because in step 101 when thefirst base station retrieves the user context information, the secondbase station doesn't transmit the user history information, the firstbase station in step 103 may not obtain the user history information.Hence, through step 103, relatively new and complete user historyinformation may be obtained, so that the accuracy of the subsequentoptimization processing using the user history information may beenhanced.

Optionally, the method provided by the embodiment of the presentdisclosure may further include:

Step 104, when the second base station initiates a suspend procedure fora UE, the second base station reports the user history information tothe device in the core network through a request message for suspendingthe user context information, and a path switch response message, whichis received by the first base station from the device in the corenetwork in a path switch request message, includes user historyinformation, thus the first base station uses the received user historyinformation for the subsequent optimization processing after the UEresumes to a connected state. In some embodiments, the received userhistory information corresponds to a timer. The timer is configured whenthe device in the core network receives the user history information.Before the timer times out, the device in the core network is allowed tocarry the user history information when transmitting a response messageto the second base station for resuming the user context information orwhen transmitting a path switch response message to the first basestation.

It should be noted that, the above-described timer can be appreciated touse for setting validity of the user history information. Within thetiming range of the timer, the user history information is regarded tobe valid, and the device in the core network sends the user historyinformation to the first base station, so that the first base stationperforms the subsequent optimization processing based on the validity ofthe user history information. After the timer times out, the userhistory information is regarded to be invalid, and the device in thecore network doesn't send the user history information, then the step103 may be performed.

Optionally, the method provided by the embodiment of the presentdisclosure may further include:

Step 105, when the second base station initiates a suspend procedure fora UE, the second base station reports user history information to thedevice in the core network through a request message for suspending theuser context information, and a path switch response message, which isreceived by the first base station from the device in the core networkin a path switch request message, includes user history information anda timestamp, thus after the UE resumes to a connected state, the firstbase station determines according to the timestamp whether the receiveduser history information is used for the subsequent optimizationprocessing. In some embodiments, the timestamp corresponds to the userhistory information, and the timestamp is configured when the device inthe core network receives the user history information.

It should be noted that, the above-described timestamp can beappreciated to use for indicating validity of the user historyinformation. After the user history information is received, the firstbase station may read the corresponding timestamp to determine whetherthe user history information becomes inappropriate since it is alreadyoutdated. For example, if the difference between current time and thetimestamp is beyond a threshold, it may be determined that the userhistory information is inappropriate since it is already outdated. If itis determined that the user history information is not outdated, thefirst base station may use the received user history information for thesubsequent optimization processing. If it is determined that the userhistory information is already outdated, the step 103 may be performed.

According to the above-described method provided by an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the way of processing user history information in aresume procedure is optimized. The accuracy of the user historyinformation used for the first base station to perform the subsequentoptimization processing is enhanced, so that the accuracy ofoptimization processing is enhanced.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method forprocessing information, which is performed by the above-described basestation. In the embodiment, it is a same base station to perform aresume procedure after a suspend procedure. FIG. 2 is a flow chartillustrating another method for processing information according to theembodiment of the present disclosure. The method provided by theembodiment of the present disclosure may include the following steps,i.e., step 201 to step 204:

Step 201, a base station initiates a procedure for a UE for suspendinguser context information, and reports user history information to adevice in a core network through a request message to the device in thecore network for suspending user context information.

Step 202, the base station updates bearer path information and resumesthe user context information through a request message to the device inthe core network for resuming the user context information.

Step 203, the base station receives a response message from the devicein the core network for resuming the user context information.

Step 204, when the response message for resuming the user contextinformation doesn't include the user history information, the basestation performs one or more of the following operations after the UEresumes to a connected state: re-starting to collect user historyinformation, and re-retrieving user history information from the UEthrough an air interface.

Optionally, the method provided by the embodiment of the presentdisclosure may further include:

Step 205, when the response message for resuming the user contextinformation includes the user history information, the base station usesthe received user history information for the subsequent optimizationprocessing after the UE resumes to a connected state. In someembodiments, the user history information corresponds to a timer. Thetimer is configured when the device in the core network receives theuser history information. Before the timer times out, the device in thecore network is allowed to carry the user history information whentransmitting a response message to the base station for resuming theuser context information.

It should be noted that, based on the description of step 205, about thecase in step 204 that the response message for resuming the user contextinformation does not include the user history information, it mayinclude two cases: one is, when the device in the core network transmitsthe response message for resuming the user context information, it isdecided not to carry the user history information in the responsemessage for resuming the user context information; the other is, if atimer is configured in step 204 but the timer times out, the userhistory information is not carried when the device in the core networktransmits the response message for resuming the user contextinformation.

Optionally, the method provided by the embodiment of the presentdisclosure may further include:

Step 206, when the response message for resuming the user contextinformation includes the user history information and the timestamp,after the UE resumes to a connected state, the base station determinesaccording to the timestamp whether the received user history informationis used for the subsequent optimization processing. In some embodiments,the timestamp corresponds to the user history information, and thetimestamp is configured when the device in the core network receives theuser history information.

It should be noted that, the above-described timestamp can beappreciated to use for indicating validity of the user historyinformation. After the user history information is received, the basestation may read the corresponding timestamp to determine whether theuser history information becomes inappropriate since it is alreadyoutdated. For example, if the difference between current time and thetimestamp is beyond a threshold, it may be determined that the userhistory information is inappropriate since it is already outdated. If itis determined that the user history information is not outdated, thefirst base station may use the received user history information for thesubsequent optimization processing. If it is determined that the userhistory information is already outdated, the step 204 may be performed.

According to the above-described method provided by an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the way of processing user history information in aresume procedure is optimized. The accuracy of the user historyinformation used for the base station to perform the subsequentoptimization processing is enhanced, so that the accuracy ofoptimization processing is enhanced.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method forprocessing information, which is performed by a new base station (i.e.,a first base station) in a resume procedure across multiple basestations. FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating another method forprocessing information according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a first base stationrefers to a new base station, and a second base station refers to an oldbase station. The method provided by the embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes the following steps, i.e., step 301 to step 303:

Step 301, by initiating a procedure to a second base station forretrieving user context information, a first base station retrieves theuser context information of a UE from the second base station. In someembodiments, the user context information includes user historyinformation and a timestamp. The timestamp is configured by the secondbase station for the locally stored user context information or userhistory information after a suspend procedure is completed.

Step 302, by initiating a path switch request message to a device in acore network, the first base station updates bearer path information andresumes the user context information.

Step 303, after the UE resumes to a connected state, the first basestation determines according to the timestamp whether the user historyinformation is used for subsequent optimization processing.

It should be noted that, the above-described timestamp can beappreciated to use for indicating validity of the user historyinformation. After the user history information is received, the firstbase station may read the corresponding timestamp to determine whetherthe user history information becomes inappropriate since it is alreadyoutdated. For example, if the difference between current time and thetimestamp is beyond a threshold, it may be determined that the userhistory information is inappropriate since it is already outdated. If itis determined that the user history information is not outdated, thefirst base station may use the received user history information for thesubsequent optimization processing. If it is determined that the userhistory information is already outdated, the step 204 may be performed.

According to the above-described method provided by an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the way of processing user history information in aresume procedure is optimized. The accuracy of the user historyinformation used for the first base station to perform the subsequentoptimization processing is enhanced, so that the accuracy ofoptimization processing is enhanced.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method forprocessing information, which is performed by a device in a corenetwork. FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating another method forprocessing information according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The method provided by the embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes the following steps, i.e., step 401 to step 403:

Step 401, a device in a core network receives a request messageincluding user history information from a first base station forsuspending user context information, and configures a timer for the userhistory information.

Step 402, the device in the core network receives a path switch requestmessage from a second base station. In some embodiments, the first basestation and the second base station are a same base station or differentbase stations.

Step 403, the device in the core network transmits a path switchresponse message to the second base station.

In some embodiments, if the timer is not timeout, the path switchresponse message includes the user history information; if the timertimes out, the path switch response message doesn't include the userhistory information.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the firstbase station and the second base station may substantially be a samebase station, wherein “the first base station” and “the second basestation” can be regarded as being differentiated in time. In someembodiments of the present disclosure, the first base station and thesecond base station may substantially be two different base stations,for example, the first base station and the second base station asdescribed in the above embodiments.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, theabove-described timer may refer to the timer as described in the aboveembodiments, which are not described in detail herein.

According to the above-described method provided by an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the way of processing user history information in aresume procedure is optimized. The accuracy of the user historyinformation used for the base station to perform the subsequentoptimization processing is enhanced, so that the accuracy ofoptimization processing is enhanced.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method forprocessing information, which is performed by a device in a corenetwork. FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another method forprocessing information according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The method provided by the embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes the following steps, i.e., step 501 to step 503:

Step 501, a device in a core network receives a request messageincluding user history information from a first base station forsuspending user context information, and configures a timestamp for theuser history information.

Step 502, the device in the core network receives a path switch requestmessage from a second base station. In some embodiments, the first basestation and the second base station are a same base station or differentbase stations.

Step 503, the device in the core network transmits a path switchresponse message to the first base station. In some embodiments, thepath switch response message includes the user history information andthe timestamp.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the firstbase station and the second base station may substantially be a samebase station. In some embodiments, “the first base station” and “thesecond base station” can be regarded as being differentiated in time. Insome embodiments of the present disclosure, the first base station andthe second base station may substantially be two different basestations, for example, the first base station and the second basestation as described in the above embodiments.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, theabove-described timestamp may refer to the timestamp as described in theabove embodiments, which are not described in detail herein.

According to the above-described method provided by an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the way of processing user history information in aresume procedure is optimized. The accuracy of the user historyinformation used for the base station to perform the subsequentoptimization processing is enhanced, so that the accuracy ofoptimization processing is enhanced.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method forprocessing information, which is performed by a device in a corenetwork. FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another method forprocessing information according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The method provided by the embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes the following steps, i.e., step 601 to step 603:

Step 601, a device in a core network receives a request messageincluding user history information from a first base station forsuspending user context information, and configures a timer for the userhistory information.

Step 602, the device in the core network receives a request message fromthe base station for resuming the user context information.

Step 603, the device in the core network transmits a response message tothe base station for resuming the user context information.

In some embodiments, if the timer is not timeout, the response messagefor resuming the user context information includes the user historyinformation; if the timer times out, the response message for resumingthe user context information doesn't include the user historyinformation.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, theabove-described timer may refer to the timer as described in the aboveembodiments, which are not described in detail herein.

According to the above-described method provided by an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the way of processing user history information in aresume procedure is optimized. The accuracy of the user historyinformation used for the base station to perform the subsequentoptimization processing is enhanced, so that the accuracy ofoptimization processing is enhanced.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method forprocessing information, which is performed by a device in a corenetwork. FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating another method forprocessing information according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The method provided by the embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes the following steps, i.e., step 701 to step 703:

Step 701, a device in a core network receives a request messageincluding user history information from a first base station forsuspending user context information, and configures a timestamp for theuser history information.

Step 702, the device in the core network receives a request message fromthe base station for resuming the user context information.

Step 703, the device in the core network transmits a response message tothe base station for resuming the user context information. In someembodiments, the response message for resuming the user contextinformation includes the user history information and the timestamp.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, theabove-described timestamp may refer to the timestamp as described in theabove embodiments, which are not described in detail herein.

According to the above-described method provided by an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the way of processing user history information in aresume procedure is optimized. The accuracy of the user historyinformation used for the base station to perform the subsequentoptimization processing is enhanced, so that the accuracy ofoptimization processing is enhanced.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method forprocessing information, which is performed by an old base station (i.e.,a second base station) in a resume procedure across multiple basestations. FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating another method forprocessing information according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a first base stationrefers to a new base station, and a second base station refers to an oldbase station. The method provided by the embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes the following steps, i.e., step 801 to step 802:

Step 801, a second base station receives a request message from a firstbase station for retrieving user context information.

Step 802, after the second base station locally locates the user contextinformation of a UE according to the request message for retrieving theuser context information, the second base station transmits the usercontext information that is located locally to a target base stationthrough a response message for retrieving the user context information.In some embodiments, the user context information doesn't include userhistory information.

Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, before step801, the method may further include:

Step 800, the second base station initiates a procedure for the UE forsuspending the user context information, and reports the user historyinformation to a device in a core network through a request message tothe device in the core network for suspending the user contextinformation.

According to the above-described method provided by an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the way of processing user history information in aresume procedure is optimized. The accuracy of the user historyinformation used for the base station to perform the subsequentoptimization processing is enhanced, so that the accuracy ofoptimization processing is enhanced.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method forprocessing information, which is performed by an old base station (i.e.,a second base station) in a resume procedure across multiple basestations. FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating another method forprocessing information according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a first base stationrefers to a new base station, and a second base station refers to an oldbase station. The method provided by the embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes the following steps, i.e., step 901 to step 903:

Step 901, a second base station initiates a procedure for a UE forsuspending user context information, and configures a timestamp for thelocally stored user context information or user history information.

Step 902, the second base station receives a request message from afirst base station for retrieving the user context information.

Step 903, after the second base station locally locates the user contextinformation of the UE according to the request message for retrievingthe user context information, the second base station transmits the usercontext information that is located locally to a target base stationthrough a response message for retrieving the user context information.In some embodiments, the user context information includes the userhistory information and the timestamp.

According to the above-described method provided by an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the way of processing user history information in aresume procedure is optimized. The accuracy of the user historyinformation used for the base station to perform the subsequentoptimization processing is enhanced, so that the accuracy ofoptimization processing is enhanced.

Optionally, in the above-described embodiments, the device in the corenetwork may include: a MME, or a CIoT Serving Gateway Node (simplifiedas C-SGN) which supports narrow-band IoT (NB-IoT) users.

Optionally, in the above-described embodiments, the user historyinformation may include one or more of the following: historyinformation of the UE in a connection state, history informationrecorded by the UE, history information of the UE when being suspended.In some embodiments, the history information includes one or more of thefollowing: information of history cells where the UE resides, whereinthe information of history cells including one of the following: a cellglobal identifier, a cell type; duration in one or more states of thefollowing in each history cell: a suspend state, a connection state, andan idle state; duration when the UE resides in each communicationmechanism system. In an example, considering the UE in a suspendprocedure also belongs to residing, the following processing may beperformed for the residence duration of the UE in a cell in the userhistory information: duration when the UE resides in a source cell in asuspend state is also counted into the overall residence duration; or,the normal state and the suspend state are differentiated, for example,the residence duration of the UE in a certain cell is differentiatedinto “suspend-state residence duration” and “connection-state residenceduration”. And for the user history information recorded by the UE,differentiation processing may also be performed. When the UE recordsthe user history information, for the suspend state, it is recordedseparately. What is recorded is the history cell information when the UEresides in a suspend state. The above processing of the user historyinformation may not only be suitable for the resume scenario crossmultiple base stations where the UE moves cross base stations, but alsobe suitable for a resume scenario under a same base station where the UEdoesn't move.

In order to make those skilled in the art to more clearly understand thetechnical schemes provided by the present disclosure, technical schemesprovided by the present disclosure are described in detail through someembodiments in the following.

Embodiment 1

The embodiment corresponds to a resume scenario across multiple basestations, relating to a UE, a second base station, a first base stationand a device in a core network. FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating asignaling process corresponding to the embodiment 1. In the embodiment,the signaling process among four devices includes the following steps,i.e., step 1˜step 10:

Step 1: a first base station receives a resume request message from a UEthrough an air interface.

Step 2: the first base station identifies a second base station based ona resume identification (ID) carried in the request message for resumingthe user context information.

In some embodiments, the resume ID is an identifier used for uniquelyidentifying user context information. For example, the identifier may beat least one or a combination of the following: a Cell Radio NetworkTemporary Identifier (simplified as C-RNTI), a E-UTRAN Cell GlobalIdentifier (simplified as ECGI), a Physical Cell Identity (simplified asPCI), or a unique text flag allocated by the base station, etc.

Step 3: the first base station sends a request message to the secondbase station for retrieving the user context information.

Step 4: the second base station locally locates the user contextinformation of the UE according to the resume ID carried in the requestmessage for retrieving the user context information.

Step 5: the second base station sends the user context information thatis located locally to the first base station through a response messagefor retrieving the user context information. In some embodiments, theuser context information doesn't include user history information.

Step 6: the second base station sends a response message that is inresponse to the resume request message to the UE after the user contextinformation is successfully retrieved.

It should be noted that, step 3 to step 5 may be called generally as aprocedure for retrieving user context information.

Step 7: the first base station sends a path switch request message to aMME to resume the user context information.

Step 8: the MME activates the user context information.

Step 9: the MME sends a path switch response message to the first basestation to complete the user context information resumption.

It should be noted that, the MME is used as an example of the device inthe core network. Other suitable devices in the core network may also beused to complete the user context resumption. The above-described step 7to step 9 may be called generally as a path switch request message.

Step 10, the first base station re-starts to collect user historyinformation and re-retrieves user history information from the UEthrough an air interface after the UE resumes to a connected state.

Embodiment 2

The embodiment corresponds to a resume scenario across multiple basestations, relating to a UE, a second base station, a first base stationand a device in a core network. FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating asignaling process corresponding to the embodiment 2. In the embodiment,the signaling process among four devices includes the following steps,i.e., step 1˜step 11:

Step 1: a second base station configures a timestamp for the locallystored user context information or user history information after asuspend procedure is completed.

Step 2: a first base station receives a resume request message from a UEthrough an air interface.

Step 3: the first base station identifies a second base station based ona resume ID carried in the request message for resuming the user contextinformation.

Step 4: the first base station sends a request message to the secondbase station for retrieving the user context information.

Step 5: the second base station locally locates the user contextinformation of the UE according to the resume ID carried in the requestmessage for retrieving the user context information.

Step 6: the second base station sends the user context information thatis located locally to the first base station through a response messagefor retrieving the user context information. In some embodiments, theuser context information includes user history information and atimestamp.

Step 7: the second base station sends a response message that is inresponse to the resume request message to the UE after the user contextinformation is successfully retrieved.

It should be noted that, step 4 to step 6 may be called generally as aprocedure for retrieving user context information.

Step 8: the first base station sends a path switch request message to aC-SGN to resume the user context information.

Step 9: the C-SGN activates the user context information.

Step 10, the C-SGN sends a path switch response message to the firstbase station to complete the user context resumption.

It should be noted that, the C-SGN is used as an example of the devicein the core network. Other suitable devices in the core network may alsobe used to complete the user context resumption. The above-describedstep 7 to step 9 may be called generally as a path switch requestmessage.

Step 11, after the UE resumes to a connected state, the first basestation determines, according to the timestamp, validity of the receiveduser history information and whether the user history information isused for the subsequent optimization processing, such as mobilityoptimization, paging optimization.

Embodiment 3

The embodiment corresponds to a resume scenario across multiple basestations, relating to a UE, a second base station, a first base stationand a device in a core network. FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating asignaling process corresponding to the embodiment 3. In the embodiment,the signaling process among four devices includes the following steps,i.e., step 1˜step 11:

Step 1: a second base station initiates a suspend procedure for a UE,and reports user history information to a device in a core networkthrough a request message for suspending user context information.

Step 2: the device in the core network transmits a response message tothe second base station for suspending the user context information.

Step 3: a first base station receives a resume request message from a UEthrough an air interface.

Step 4: the first base station identifies a second base station based ona resume ID carried in the request message for resuming the user contextinformation.

Step 5: the first base station sends a request message to the secondbase station for retrieving the user context information.

Step 6: the second base station locally locates the user contextinformation of the UE according to the resume ID carried in the requestmessage for retrieving the user context information.

Step 7: the second base station sends the user context information thatis located locally to the first base station through a response messagefor retrieving the user context information. In some embodiments, theuser context information doesn't include the user history information.

Step 8: the second base station sends a response message that is inresponse to the resume request message to the UE after the user contextinformation is successfully retrieved.

Step 9: the first base station sends a path switch request message tothe device in the core network to complete the user context informationresumption.

Step 10: the device in the core network sends a path switch responsemessage to the first base station. In some embodiments, the path switchresponse message may include the user history information, or the pathswitch response message may include the user history information and thetimestamp.

Optionally, in the embodiment, the device in the core network mayconfigure a timer for the user history information, and send the userhistory information only when the device in the core network transmitsthe path switch response message within the timing range of the timer,otherwise the device in the core network doesn't send the user historyinformation. Or, the device in the core network may configure a timerwhen the user history information is received, and send the user historyinformation and its corresponding timestamp together when transmittingthe path switch response message.

Step 11, if the user history information isn't received, the first basestation re-starts to collect user history information and re-retrievesuser history information from the UE through an air interface after theUE resumes to a connected state, and then performs the subsequentoptimization processing; if the user history information is received,the first base station uses the user history information for thesubsequent optimization processing after the UE resumes to a connectedstate; if the user history information and the timestamp are received,the first base station determines, according to the timestamp, validityof the user history information and whether the user history informationis used for the subsequent optimization processing.

Embodiment 4

The embodiment corresponds to a scenario where a same base stationsuspends user context information and then resumes the user contextinformation, relating to a UE, a base station, and a device in a corenetwork. FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a signaling processcorresponding to the embodiment 4. In the embodiment, the signalingprocess among three devices includes the following steps, i.e., step1˜step 8:

Step 1: a base station initiates a suspend procedure for a UE, andreports user history information to a device in a core network through arequest message for suspending user context information.

Step 2: the device in the core network transmits a response message tothe second base station for suspending the user context information.

Step 3: the base station receives a resume request message from a UEthrough an air interface.

Step 4: the base station determines the user context informationaccording to a resume ID carried in the request message for resuming theuser context information and activates the user context information.

Step 5: the base station sends a response message that is in response tothe resume request message to the UE.

Step 6: the base station sends a request message to the device in thecore network for resuming the user context information, to complete theuser context information resumption.

Step 7: the device in the core network sends a response message to thebase station for resuming the user context information. In someembodiments, the response message for resuming the user contextinformation may include the user history information, or the responsemessage for resuming the user context information may include the userhistory information and the timestamp.

Optionally, in the embodiment, the device in the core network mayconfigure a timer for the user history information, and send the userhistory information only when the device in the core network transmitsthe response message for resuming the user context information withinthe timing range of the timer, otherwise the device in the core networkdoesn't send the user history information. Or, the device in the corenetwork may configure a timer when the user history information isreceived, and send the user history information and the correspondingtimestamp together when transmitting the response message for resumingthe user context information.

Step 8, if the user history information isn't received, the base stationre-starts to collect user history information and re-retrieves userhistory information from the UE through an air interface after the UEresumes to a connected state, and then performs the subsequentoptimization processing; if the user history information is received,the base station uses the user history information for the subsequentoptimization processing after the UE resumes to a connected state; ifthe user history information and the timestamp are received, the basestation determines, according to the timestamp, validity of the userhistory information and whether the user history information is used forthe subsequent optimization processing.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus 10 forprocessing information. The apparatus for processing information is setin a first base station 100. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustratinga structure of an apparatus for processing information according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus for processinginformation according to the embodiment of the present disclosure mayinclude: a first retrieving unit 11, a path updating unit 12, and asecond retrieving unit 13.

The first retrieving unit 11 is configured to retrieve user contextinformation of a User Equipment (UE) from a second base station byinitiating a procedure to the second base station for retrieving theuser context information. In some embodiments, the user contextinformation doesn't include user history information.

The path updating unit 12 is configured to update bearer pathinformation and resume the user context information by initiating a pathswitch request message to a device in a core network.

The second retrieving unit 13 is configured to perform one or more ofthe following operations after the UE resumes to a connected state:re-starting to collect user history information, and re-retrieving userhistory information from the UE through an air interface.

Optionally in the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG.14, the apparatus may further include:

a first processing unit 14, configured to when the second base stationinitiates a suspend procedure for a UE, the second base station reportsthe user history information to the device in the core network through arequest message for suspending the user context information, and a pathswitch response message, which is received by the first base stationfrom the device in the core network in a path switch request message,includes user history information, use the received user historyinformation for subsequent optimization processing after the UE resumesto a connected state. In some embodiments, the received user historyinformation corresponds to a timer; the timer is configured when thedevice in the core network receives the user history information; beforethe timer times out, the device in the core network is allowed to carrythe user history information when transmitting a response message to thesecond base station for resuming the user context information or whentransmitting a path switch response message to the first base station.

Optionally in the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG.14, the apparatus may further include:

a second processing unit 15, configured to when the second base stationinitiates a suspend procedure for a UE, the second base station reportsuser history information to the device in the core network through arequest message for suspending the user context information, and a pathswitch response message, which is received by the first base stationfrom the device in the core network in a path switch request message,includes user history information and a timestamp, determine accordingto the timestamp whether the received user history information is usedfor subsequent optimization processing after the UE resumes to aconnected state. In some embodiments, the timestamp corresponds to theuser history information, and the timestamp is configured when thedevice in the core network receives the user history information.

The embodiment of the present disclosure is used to implement thecorresponding method embodiment. The procedure and principle of eachunit in the embodiment of the present disclosure may refer to thedescription in the corresponding method embodiment, which is notdescribed in detail herein.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides an apparatus 20for processing information, which is set in a base station 200. FIG. 15is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of another apparatus forprocessing information according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The apparatus may include a transmitting unit 21, a pathupdating unit 22, a receiving unit 23 and a retrieving unit 24.

The transmitting unit 21 is configured to initiate a procedure for aUser Equipment (UE) for suspending user context information, and reportuser history information to a device in a core network through a requestmessage to the device in the core network for suspending user contextinformation.

The path updating unit 22 is configured to update bearer pathinformation and resume the user context information through a requestmessage to the device in the core network for resuming the user contextinformation.

The receiving unit 23 is configured to receive a response message forresuming the user context information from the device in the corenetwork.

The retrieving unit 24 is configured to when the response message forresuming the user context information doesn't include the user historyinformation, perform one or more of the following operations after theUE resumes to a connected state: re-starting to collect user historyinformation, and re-retrieving user history information from the UEthrough an air interface.

Optionally in the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG.15, the apparatus may further include:

a first processing unit 25, configured to when the response message forresuming the user context information includes the user historyinformation, use the received user history information for subsequentoptimization processing after the UE resumes to a connected state. Insome embodiments, the user history information corresponds to a timer;the timer is configured when the device in the core network receives theuser history information; before the timer times out, the device in thecore network is allowed to carry the user history information whentransmitting a response message to the base station for resuming theuser context information.

Optionally in the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG.15, the apparatus may further include:

a second processing unit 26, configured to when the response message forresuming the user context information includes the user historyinformation and the timestamp, determine according to the timestampwhether the received user history information is used for subsequentoptimization processing after the UE resumes to a connected state. Insome embodiments, the timestamp corresponds to the user historyinformation, and the timestamp is configured when the device in the corenetwork receives the user history information.

The embodiment of the present disclosure is used to implement thecorresponding method embodiment. The procedure and principle of eachunit in the embodiment of the present disclosure may refer to thedescription in the corresponding method embodiment, which is notdescribed in detail herein.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus 30 forprocessing information. The apparatus for processing information is setin a first base station 300. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustratinga structure of another apparatus for processing information according toan embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus may include: aretrieving unit 31, a path updating unit 32, and a processing unit 33.

The retrieving unit 31 is configured to retrieve user contextinformation of a User Equipment (UE) from a second base station byinitiating a procedure to the second base station for retrieving theuser context information. In some embodiments, the user contextinformation includes user history information and a timestamp; thetimestamp is configured by the second base station for the locallystored user context information or user history information after asuspend procedure is completed.

The path updating unit 32 is configured to update bearer pathinformation and resume the user context information by initiating a pathswitch request message to a device in a core network.

The processing unit 33 is configured to determine according to thetimestamp whether the user history information is used for thesubsequent optimization processing after the UE resumes to a connectedstate.

The embodiment of the present disclosure is used to implement thecorresponding method embodiment. The procedure and principle of eachunit in the embodiment of the present disclosure may refer to thedescription in the corresponding method embodiment, which is notdescribed in detail herein.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides an apparatus 40for processing information, which is set in a device in a core network400. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of anotherapparatus for processing information according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The apparatus may include a receiving unit 41 and atransmitting unit 42.

The receiving unit 41 is configured to receive a request messageincluding user history information from a first base station forsuspending user context information, and configure a timer for the userhistory information.

The receiving unit 41 is further configured to receive a path switchrequest message from a second base station. In some embodiments, thefirst base station and the second base station are a same base stationor different base stations.

The transmitting unit 42 is configured to transmit a path switchresponse message to the second base station. In some embodiments, if thetimer is not timeout, the path switch response message includes the userhistory information; if the timer times out, the path switch responsemessage doesn't include the user history information.

The embodiment of the present disclosure is used to implement thecorresponding method embodiment. The procedure and principle of eachunit in the embodiment of the present disclosure may refer to thedescription in the corresponding method embodiment, which is notdescribed in detail herein.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides an apparatus 50for processing information, which is set in a device in a core network500. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of anotherapparatus for processing information according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The apparatus may include a receiving unit 51 and atransmitting unit 52.

The receiving unit 51 is configured to receive a request messageincluding user history information from a first base station forsuspending user context information, and configure a timestamp for theuser history information.

The receiving unit 51 is further configured to receive a path switchrequest message from a second base station. In some embodiments, thefirst base station and the second base station are a same base stationor different base stations.

The transmitting unit 52 is configured to transmit a path switchresponse message to the second base station. In some embodiments, thepath switch response message includes the user history information andthe timestamp.

The embodiment of the present disclosure is used to implement thecorresponding method embodiment. The procedure and principle of eachunit in the embodiment of the present disclosure may refer to thedescription in the corresponding method embodiment, which is notdescribed in detail herein.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides an apparatus 60for processing information, which is set in a device in a core network600. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of anotherapparatus for processing information according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The apparatus may include a receiving unit 61 and atransmitting unit 62.

The receiving unit 61 is configured to receive a request messageincluding user history information from a first base station forsuspending user context information, and configure a timer for the userhistory information.

The receiving unit 61 is further configured to receive a request messagefrom the base station for resuming the user context information.

The transmitting unit 62 is configured to transmit a response message tothe base station for resuming the user context information. In someembodiments, if the timer is not timeout, the response message forresuming the user context information includes the user historyinformation; if the timer times out, the response message for resumingthe user context information doesn't include the user historyinformation.

The embodiment of the present disclosure is used to implement thecorresponding method embodiment. The procedure and principle of eachunit in the embodiment of the present disclosure may refer to thedescription in the corresponding method embodiment, which is notdescribed in detail herein.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides an apparatus 70for processing information, which is set in a device in a core network700. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of anotherapparatus for processing information according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The apparatus may include a receiving unit 71 and atransmitting unit 72.

The receiving unit 71 is configured to receive a request messageincluding user history information from a first base station forsuspending user context information, and configure a timestamp for theuser history information.

The receiving unit 71 is further configured to receive a request messagefrom the base station for resuming the user context information.

The transmitting unit 72 is configured to transmit a response message tothe base station for resuming the user context information. In someembodiments, the response message for resuming the user contextinformation includes the user history information and the timestamp.

The embodiment of the present disclosure is used to implement thecorresponding method embodiment. The procedure and principle of eachunit in the embodiment of the present disclosure may refer to thedescription in the corresponding method embodiment, which is notdescribed in detail herein.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides an apparatus 80for processing information, which is set in a second base station 800.FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of anotherapparatus for processing information according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, the first basestation is a new base station, and a second base station is an old basestation. The apparatus may include a receiving unit 81 and atransmitting unit 82.

The receiving unit 81 is configured to receive a request message from afirst base station for retrieving user context information.

The transmitting unit 82 is configured to after the second base stationlocally locates the user context information of a User Equipment (UE)according to the request message for retrieving the user contextinformation, transmit the user context information that is locatedlocally to a target base station through a response message forretrieving the user context information. In some embodiments, the usercontext information doesn't include user history information.

Optionally in the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG.21, the apparatus may further include:

a reporting unit 83, configured to initiate a procedure for the UE forsuspending the user context information, and report the user historyinformation to a device in a core network through a request message tothe device in the core network for suspending the user contextinformation.

The embodiment of the present disclosure is used to implement thecorresponding method embodiment. The procedure and principle of eachunit in the embodiment of the present disclosure may refer to thedescription in the corresponding method embodiment, which is notdescribed in detail herein.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides an apparatus 90for processing information, which is set in a second base station 900.FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of anotherapparatus for processing information according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the first basestation is a new base station, and a second base station is an old basestation. The apparatus may include a processing unit 91, a receivingunit 92 and a transmitting unit 93.

The processing unit 91 is configured to initiate a procedure for a UserEquipment (UE) for suspending user context information, and configure atimestamp for locally stored user context information or user historyinformation.

The receiving unit 92 is configured to receive request message from afirst base station for retrieving the user context information.

The transmitting unit 93 is configured to after the second base stationlocally locates the user context information of the UE according to therequest message for retrieving the user context information, transmitthe user context information that is located locally to a target basestation through a response message for retrieving the user contextinformation. In some embodiments, the user context information includesthe user history information and the timestamp.

The embodiment of the present disclosure is used to implement thecorresponding method embodiment. The procedure and principle of eachunit in the embodiment of the present disclosure may refer to thedescription in the corresponding method embodiment, which is notdescribed in detail herein.

In conclusion, by implementing technical schemes provided in theabove-described embodiments of the present disclosure, the way ofprocessing user history information in a resume procedure is optimized.The accuracy of the user history information used for the first basestation to perform the subsequent optimization processing is enhanced,so that the accuracy of optimization processing is enhanced.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a storage medium.Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the storagemedium may be configured as: storing program codes for executing themethod corresponding to any one of above-described embodiments.

Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the storagemedium may include but is not limited to: various mediums to storeprogram codes, such as U disk, Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random AccessMemory (RAM), mobile hard disk, diskette or optical disk, etc.

Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, a processorexecutes the method corresponding to any one of above-describedembodiments according to program codes stored in the storage medium.

Optionally, examples in some embodiments of the present disclosure mayrefer to the method corresponding to any one of above-describedembodiments and examples described in any one of optional embodiments,which is not described in detail herein.

The above-described apparatus embodiments are only schematic. Forexample, partition of units is only one partition of logic functions. Inpractical implementation, there may be some other ways of partition. Foranother point, connections among presented or discussed units may bethrough some interfaces in an electrical, mechanic or other ways. Eachunit may or may not be separated physically, may or may not be physicalunits. It may select part or all of units according to practical needsto implement technical schemes of embodiments of the present disclosure.

Besides, each functional unit in examples of the present disclosure maybe integrated into a processing module, or may exist separately, or atleast two functional units may be integrated into a module. Theforegoing integrated module may be implemented with hardware, or withsoftware functional module.

The above-described integrated modules implemented by a way of softwarefunctional units may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.The above-described software functional modules are stored in a storagemedium, including some instructions to enable a computer device (whichmay be a personal computer, a server or a network device, etc.) toexecute part of steps in the method described in each embodiment of thepresent discourse. The above-described storage medium may includevarious mediums to store program codes, such as U disk, Read-Only Memory(ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), mobile hard disk, diskette or opticaldisk, etc.

All described above are only examples and optional embodiments of thepresent disclosure, but protection scope of the present disclosure isnot limited to it. Any technical person who is familiar with thetechnical field may easily figure out variations or substitutions, whichshould be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.Hence, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be based onthe protection scope of claims.

Ordinary technical persons in the field may understand that all or partof steps in the above-described embodiments may be implemented by usinga computer program procedure. The computer program may be stored in acomputer-readable storage medium. The computer program is executed incorresponding hardware platforms (according to system, device,apparatus, component, etc.). When being executed, one or combination ofsteps in the method embodiments may be included.

Optionally, part or all steps of the above-described embodiments mayalso be implemented by integrated circuits. Those steps may be made assome integrated circuit modules separately, or, some modules or stepsmay be made as a single integrated circuit.

Apparatus/functional modules/function units in the above-describedembodiments may be implemented by using a general computing apparatus.They may be integrated in a single computing apparatus, or may bedistributed in a network composed by multiple computing apparatuses.

Apparatus/functional modules/function units in the above-describedembodiments may be implemented by software function modules, and when itis sold or used as an independent product, it may be stored in acomputer-readable storage medium. The above-described computer-readablestorage medium may be a read-only memory, magnetic disk or optical disk,etc.

INDUSTRY APPLICABILITY

According to technical schemes provided by embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the way of processing user history information in a resumeprocedure is optimized. The accuracy of the user history informationused for the first base station (i.e., a new base station) to performthe subsequent optimization processing is enhanced, so that the accuracyof the optimization processing is enhanced.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for wireless communication, comprising:receiving, by a first base station, a first request message from amobile device to resume a radio connection that was previously suspendedat a second base station, wherein the first request message includes aresume identity that identifies the second base station; identifying, bythe first base station, the second base station based on the resumeidentity included in the first request message; transmitting, by thefirst base station, a second request message to the second base stationto retrieve a mobile device context that is associated with wirelesscommunication at the mobile device for the radio connection; receiving,at the first base station, a response message from the second basestation, the response message including information for the mobiledevice context in response to the second request message, wherein theinformation for the mobile device context excludes history informationrelated to the mobile device context indicating one or more cells inwhich the mobile device has previously resided; transmitting, from thefirst base station, a path switch request message to a device in a corenetwork to update a path information after resuming the radio connectionbased on the mobile device context; receiving, at the first basestation, a path switch response message from the device in the corenetwork in response to the path switch request message; and collecting,by the first base station subsequent to the path switch responsemessage, the history information related to the mobile device contextafter the mobile device enters a connected state with the first basestation.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the collecting the historyinformation comprises: receiving, from the mobile device, the historyinformation related to the mobile device context.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the device in the core network includes a Mobility ManagementEntity (MME).
 4. A method for wireless communication, comprising:transmitting, from a mobile device to a first base station, a requestmessage to resume a radio connection that was previously suspended at asecond base station, wherein the request message includes a resumeidentity that identifies the second base station; receiving, at themobile device, a response message from the first base station, theresponse message indicating a resumption of a mobile device context thatis associated with wireless communication at the mobile device for theradio connection; and transmitting, from the mobile device to the firstbase station subsequent to receiving the response message from the firstbase station, history information related to the mobile device contextindicating one or more cells in which the mobile device has previouslyresided after the mobile device enters a connected state with the firstbase station.
 5. A method for wireless communication, comprising:receiving, at a first base station, a request message from a second basestation to retrieve a mobile device context that is associated withwireless communication at the mobile device for a radio connection thatis previously established between the mobile device and the first basestation; and transmitting, from the first base station, a responsemessage to the second base station, the response message includinginformation for the mobile device context in response to the requestmessage, wherein the information for the mobile device context excludeshistory information related to the mobile device context indicatingcells in which the mobile device has previously resided to enable thesecond base station to collect the history information related to themobile device context after the mobile device enters a connected statewith the second base station.
 6. An apparatus for wirelesscommunication, comprising: a receiver configured to receive a firstrequest message from a mobile device to resume a radio connection thatwas previously suspended at a base station, wherein the first requestmessage includes a resume identity that identifies the base station; aprocessor configured to identify the base station based on the resumeidentity included in the first request message; and a transmitterconfigured to transmit a second request message to the base station toretrieve a mobile device context that is associated with wirelesscommunication at the mobile device for the radio connection, thetransmitter further configured to transmit a path switch request messageto a device in a core network to resume the mobile device context,wherein the receiver is further configured to (1) receive a responsemessage from the base station, the response message includinginformation for the mobile device context in response to the secondrequest message, the information for the mobile device context excludinghistory information related to the mobile device context indicating oneor more cells in which the mobile device has previously resided; (2) toreceive a path switch response message from the device in the corenetwork in response to the path switch request message, and (3) tocollect, subsequent to the path switch response message, the historyinformation related to the mobile device context after the mobile deviceenters a connected state with the apparatus.
 7. The apparatus of claim6, wherein the processor is configured to collect history information byreceiving the history information from the mobile device.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the device in the core network includes aMobility Management Entity (MME).
 9. An apparatus for wirelesscommunication, comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit arequest message to a first base station to resume a radio connectionthat was previously suspended a second base station, wherein the requestmessage includes a resume identity that identifies the second basestation; and a receiver configured to receive a response message fromthe first base station, the response message indicating a resumption ofa mobile device context that is associated with wireless communicationat the mobile device for the radio connection, wherein the transmitteris further configured to transmit, subsequent to receiving the responsemessage from the first base station, history information to the firstbase station related to the context indicating one or more cells inwhich the mobile device has previously resided after entering aconnected state with the first base station.
 10. An apparatus forwireless communication, comprising: a receiver configured to receive arequest message from a base station to retrieve a mobile device contextthat is associated with wireless communication at the mobile device fora radio connection that is previously established between the mobiledevice and the apparatus; and a transmitter configured to transmit aresponse message to the base station, the response message includinginformation for the mobile device context in response to the requestmessage, wherein the information for the mobile device context excludeshistory information related to the mobile device context indicating oneor more cells in which the mobile device has previously resided toenable the base station to collect the history information related tothe mobile device context after the mobile device enters a connectedstate with the base station.
 11. A non-transitory computer readablemedium having code stored thereon, the code when executed by aprocessor, causing the processor to implement a method comprising:receiving, by a first base station, a first request message from amobile device to resume a radio connection that was previously suspendedat a second base station, wherein the first request message includes aresume identity that identifies the second base station; identifying, bythe first base station, the second base station based on the resumeidentity included in the first request message; transmitting, by thefirst base station, a second request message to the second base stationto retrieve a mobile device context that is associated with wirelesscommunication at the mobile device for the radio connection; receiving,at the first base station, a response message from the second basestation, the response message including information for the mobiledevice context in response to the second request message, wherein theinformation for the mobile device context excludes history informationrelated to the mobile device context indicating one or more cells inwhich the mobile device has previously resided; transmitting, from thefirst base station, a path switch request message to a device in a corenetwork to update a path information after resuming the radio connectionbased on the mobile device context; receiving, at the first basestation, a path switch response message from the device in the corenetwork in response to the path switch request message; and collecting,by the first base station subsequent to the path switch responsemessage, the history information related to the mobile device contextafter the mobile device enters a connected state with the first basestation.
 12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11,wherein the collecting the history information comprises: receiving,from the mobile device, the history information related to the mobiledevice context.
 13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim11, wherein the device in the core network includes a MobilityManagement Entity (MME).
 14. A non-transitory computer readable mediumhaving code stored thereon, the code when executed by a processor,causing the processor to implement a method comprising: transmitting,from a mobile device to a first base station, a request message toresume a radio connection that was previously suspended at a second basestation, wherein the request message includes a resume identity thatidentifies the second base station; receiving, at the mobile device, aresponse message from the first base station, the response messageindicating a resumption of a mobile device context that is associatedwith wireless communication at the mobile device for the radioconnection; and transmitting, from the mobile device to the first basestation subsequent to receiving the response message from the first basestation, history information related to the mobile device contextindicating one or more cells in which the mobile device has previouslyresided after the mobile device enters a connected state with the firstbase station.
 15. A non-transitory computer readable medium having codestored thereon, the code when executed by a processor, causing theprocessor to implement a method comprising: receiving, at a first basestation, a request message from a second base station to retrieve amobile device context that is associated with wireless communication atthe mobile device for a radio connection that is previously establishedbetween the mobile device and the first base station; and transmitting,from the first base station, a response message to the second basestation, the response message including information for the mobiledevice context in response to the request message, wherein theinformation for the mobile device context excludes history informationrelated to the mobile device context indicating one or more cells inwhich the mobile device has previously resided to enable the second basestation to collect the history information related to the mobile devicecontext after the mobile device enters a connected state with the secondbase station.